The Washington Commanders nearly pulled off an incredible upset against the Eagles in Week 1, losing by just two points. But that tough loss? It might have been the perfect prep for their next NFC East showdown. Forget the hype around Dallas, because Washington is absolutely primed to cover against their division rival this weekend. This isn’t just some random game; it’s a huge division tilt, and both teams are desperate for a win after dropping their Week 1 matchups.
Dallas’s Defense Is an Absolute Train Wreck
Seriously, what was that in Week 1? The Dallas Cowboys’ defense looked pathetic on Sunday night against the Giants. Their defensive line got absolutely dominated, and the coverage unit got beat multiple times with the exact same concept. That’s not a mistake you just magically fix in a single week, folks! It’s fundamental stuff. The Commanders’ offense, which played well at times against one of the better defenses in the NFL in Philadelphia, is now staring at a prime opportunity to exploit those glaring issues. Daniels, their signal-caller, has one more week under his belt after missing most of last season. We always see big player improvement between Week 1 and Week 2, and I’m banking on it for him. The Dallas offense wasn’t any better, either. All that supposed firepower and they managed only three scoring drives against the Giants. While I do think they’ll find more consistency on offense eventually, that doesn’t guarantee success this weekend.
Washington’s Defense Quietly Delivering, Plus AFC Battle Royale
Let’s talk about Washington’s defense for a second. Their rebuild got little attention, but it seriously paid off in Week 1. Yeah, they lost, but remember, they only allowed 10 first downs to the Eagles! That’s a huge stat. It shows this defense can be good enough to keep them in games and allow their offense to spend more time on the field. For me, that screams “cover.”
Meanwhile, over in the AFC, don’t buy all the chatter about the Bengals’ defense being fixed just because they beat the Bucs 33-27. Sure, they forced four fumbles, and credit where it’s due for those turnovers. But if you actually dig into it, the Bucs scored on every other drive they had! No punts, 50% on third down. The Bucs only scored late to make it a one-score game; the Bengals mostly had a double-digit lead. It wasn’t the defensive masterpiece some are claiming. On the flip side, the Texans’ offense looked legit against the Bills, dropping 31 points. Their run game was much improved, thanks to resources spent on the offensive line and at running back. Pass protection looked better, and CJ Stroud was comfortable and confident. The Texans need a win, badly. They can’t start 0-2 against two AFC contenders, so expect them to come out firing and put up points.
This NFC East Week 2 showdown isn’t just about covering the spread, it’s about early season momentum and setting the tone. Keep an eye on Daniels’ continued growth and whether Washington’s defense can feast on a vulnerable Dallas squad.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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